It Is Inevitable
"Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Phil.2:9-11.
The good news of the gospel is that all mankind shall come to know the God of creation. It is inevitable.
Jesus Christ so perfectly fulfilled His mission as "Saviour of all men" (1Tim.4:10) that regardless of where we find ourselves, now or later, whether it be in heaven, on earth, or under the earth, someday we shall all bow in worship and adoration unto Him. "There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace" (Isa.9:7). All that is presently not under His rule will come under His rule. "The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this." (Isa.9:7).
Why does Jesus Christ deserve all this attention? He deserves it because:
- He is God: Isa.9:6; Jn.1:1-3; Heb.1:8. + He is Creator: Jn.1:3; Col.1:16-17.
- He laid aside His privileges as God and became a man: Phil.2:7,8; Jn.17:5; Heb.2:9-18.
- He is our Saviour from sin: Tit.2:13; Isa.45:21;
- He conquered death and hell for us: 2Tim.1:10; 1Cor.15:26; Heb.2:14; Rev.1:17,18.
- He judges all men: Rom.2:16; Jn.12:44-48.
As your heart is opened to God, you will find your spirit bearing witness that these things which the Bible declares, are true (Rom.8:15,16).
Is all this acclaim for Jesus done merely to satisfy His need for attention? No, dear friend, it is done because only when we are in right relationship with God will we find real fulfillment. We are all His offspring (Ac.17:29) and need His love. His love which never fails will draw us to Him. Jesus once made the statement, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself. But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die" (Jn.12:32,33). The very reason for your reading this message now is to let you know about God’s love for you, that He has not forgotten you, and that He, right this very moment, is drawing you unto Himself.
Maybe you have thought that your good deeds will save you, or that your religious affiliation is sufficient. Dear reader, the best thing you can do is to forget these thoughts. The prophet Isaiah said, "all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment" (Isa.64:6). Instead, entrust yourself to God’s mercy and grace revealed in Jesus Christ. Rightstanding with God "does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy" (Rom.9:16). Since we were all born with a sin nature which comes far short of God’s glory, there is no way we can save ourselves. It is impossible! This is why God has given us the free gift of justification through Jesus Christ.
The Direct Route
The quickest way for you to know deliverance from the sin nature is for you to take Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord today. "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved: for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses resulting in salvation" (Rom.10:9,10). The reality of your conversion will mean a changed life. You become a "dwelling place of God in the spirit" (Eph.2:22). Christ now lives in you (Gal.2:20). He becomes your source of love, wisdom, health, strength, and whatever else you need. "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace" (Rom.6:12-14). The alternative is…..
The Circuitous Painful Route
You can harden your heart to the gospel of Jesus Christ. "There is a way which seemeth right unto man, but its end is the way of death" (Prv.16:25). Then "Your own wickedness will correct you, and your apostasies will reprove you." (Jer.2:19). Scripture reveals that God has chastisements to correct and reprove every iniquity of man. God took the kingdom of the proud and wealthy Nebuchadnezzar away and give him the heart of a beast until he repented (Dan.4). God appointed a great fish to correct Jonah’s stubbornness (Jon.1). The father let the prodigal son go his way until he came to the end of his self-centeredness (Lk.15:11-30). The apostle Paul turned a man over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh that his spirit may be saved (1Cor.15:5). Some people are saved "only through fire" (1Cor.3:15). God, who is a consuming fire (Heb.10:29) has all the fire necessary and will provide whatever fire is needed. In any case the outcome is secure for God declares, "I will accomplish all My good pleasure" (Isa.46:11). Jesus Christ shall reign over creation until all creation is in subjection to Himself in the same way that He is in subjection to God the Father, that God may be all in all (1Cor.15:22-28).
Our Prayer For You
Dear friend, our prayer is that you come to Jesus Christ the direct route. Since it is inevitable that you will bow before Him, why not do it today? Our lives on this earth are so futile when compared to the marvelous privilege of knowing God, the inner peace that comes through the forgiveness of sins, and the many benefits of salvation now in this life. His plan of reconciliation encompasses all creation, including you (Col.1:16-20). Since God is no longer counting your trespasses against you (2cor.5:19) "we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God" (2Cor.5:20).
Would You Like To Pray?
Heavenly Father, I come to You because of Your mercy and grace revealed in Jesus Christ. I acknowledge my sin nature has separated me from You. I take Your Son Jesus Christ, as my Lord and Saviour and receive His righteousness proven in His death and resurrection, as the basis for my relationship with You. Cleanse me from all sin and fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may live a life which is pleasing to You. Thank You for drawing me by Your great love. Amen. Author unknown